Wheeler Dealers P1800 - Last Night

[D18OCK]

Other than having to watch Mike Brewer acting like the proverbial on TV each week I actually enjoy watching Wheeler Dealers. Mostly because the mechanic guy (Ed something) is no short of a genius. However, last night they worked on a P1800 and I couldn't help but feel it felt like a bit of an amateur affair!

They bent that front cross member with an 'oxy' torch and painted it without even rubbing the rust down. Then the suspension overhaul appeared to receive little or no attention - they only replaced one bush!

I know the idea is to make money but this one just felt wrong! Perhaps I am wrong but they seem to have put much more effort into far less expensive cars!

[Gandi69]

I watch this too and agree with you there. I watched one where they took ages polishing MR2 wheels for no apparent reason and another where they made an fun 4x4 from a suzuki SJ, which they couldnt MOT as it was rotten in the boot floor, so why did they bother buying it?

[2slo]

To be fair I think they achieve what they set out to do, i.e. make an interesting programme that gets people (ourselves) watching. If they did everything right it would be boring. The fact that they rarely turn a profit worth mentioning (and only then because they aren't factoring in Ed's labour costs or Mike's wages for doing the leg work) is all part of the interest. Isn't it more interesting that some of us can watch and see where they are going wrong? It is for me anyway.

Mark.

[vixen1700]

I enjoy Wheeler Dealers, but it also annoys me they never take into account what the labour costs would be on anything, or even the import duty on say that DS they bought from France.

Wrecks to Riches is my fave where the costs are ridiculous and it involves either a 426 Hemi or some other lovely brand spanking new V8 out of a crate.

[mattman]

the uk version of wrecks to riches is not quite the same....

[D18OCK]

I suppose that the justification for not taking into account the labour cost is that these are mostly projects you are supposed to be able to carry out yourself at home - its when they start doing ridiculous things that require lifts and years of expertise when it goes out the window.

The Spitfire episode though for example was very good and useful for me as I pretty much ended up doing exactly those things when I got mine!

I think generally that they are trying to make the programme bigger and better to fit into its new prime time HD slot problem is that this really doesn't fit with the original remit of the programme!

[lordlee]

Personally I look at the programme as great entertainment and I like the fact they are giving some classics a new lease of life. Not everything they do is to my taste but that makes it all the better when you sit there thinking 'I'd have done it this way instead'. It gets me reaching for the classifieds too which can be quite dangerous after much vodka....

[VeeFour]

vixen1700 said:

I enjoy Wheeler Dealers, but it also annoys me they never take into account what the labour costs would be on anything, or even the import duty on say that DS they bought from France.

Labour costs aren't included, as it's a show about what you could, in theory, do yourself. It's not about sending the car for restoration and paying the bill - most of the work carried out by Ed is what a good home mechanic could do. They do include labour costs if they have to send something away to be fixed.

And there's no import duty on a car brought in from another EU country.

[Spitfire2]

D18OCK said:

The Spitfire episode though for example was very good and useful for me as I pretty much ended up doing exactly those things when I got mine!

Noooo

Tell me you didn't use that ridiculous ratchet strap bodge they came up with when removing the diff .......

[Throttle Body]

I watched the Volvo P1800 programme today courtesy of my Sky+ box. Was bending the flange on the cross-member so bad? I agree that the cross-member didn't seem to receive much preparation for paint, though.

I really enjoy Wheeler Dealers. In fact, it is inspiring me to do a classic restoration rather than build a kit car. Ed China is a real star, giving clear explanations of what he is doing, and how components should work. One of the funniest programmes was where he was helping to rub down a car in the paint shop wearing a lint-free boiler suit. Unfortunately, they didn't have one to fit his towering 6ft 6in frame, so the bottom of the trouser legs were mid-way between his ankles and his knees.

It also strikes me that having a 2 post lift makes working on a car so much easier. I think that I'm going to buy one.

Now, what to restore.....?

[dmulally]

Not sure if anyone with a rattle can of paint should be regarded as a genius but he is likable. That fat guy is annoying but they are saving old cars so he can't be that bad.

Kind of related but over here they show the is born series over and over. They occasionally give us some similar type series where the chap from the is born shows helps out with peoples stalled projects. I don't really see him help though.

Anyway, a young girl was restoring a bug eye sprite and to cheer her up he brought over a massive picture of a sprite...with a picture of his face on it.

Good times...:-D

[sloopeh]

the question i have never had the answer to is t-shirt over a jumper...why?

[D18OCK]

Spitfire2 said:

D18OCK said:

The Spitfire episode though for example was very good and useful for me as I pretty much ended up doing exactly those things when I got mine!

Noooo

Tell me you didn't use that ridiculous ratchet strap bodge they came up with when removing the diff .......

No, I haven't had to do the diff and if I did I don't think I would go about it like that.

I think bending the cross member was bad as it would have weakened it quite considerably. I think it needed replacing.

2 post lift would be awesome if only I had the space (or the funds).

I have always wanted to restore a Lotus Europa Twin Cam- Still one of my favorite classics.

[Fast Bug]

I hate to shatter any illusions that you may have, but Mike doesn't really by the cars. And they don't get sold at the end of the programme to those 'buyers'... Oh and not all of the work is shown either, as some right pups have been bought by the researchers

[Hooli]

sloopeh said:

the question i have never had the answer to is t-shirt over a jumper...why?

It's a secret sign proving he is a member of the society of rich penile glands.

[Pistom]

Fast Bug said:

I hate to shatter any illusions that you may have, but Mike doesn't really by the cars. And they don't get sold at the end of the programme to those 'buyers'... Oh and not all of the work is shown either, as some right pups have been bought by the researchers

I hate to bring you back to reality but the P1800 was sold by Mike Brewer and the buyer had to agree to appear on the program. The advert also warned that the car was a POS as it had only been tarted up for the show.

It's entertainment but it's not Top Gear.

[VeeFour]

Pistom said:

Fast Bug said:

I hate to shatter any illusions that you may have, but Mike doesn't really by the cars. And they don't get sold at the end of the programme to those 'buyers'... Oh and not all of the work is shown either, as some right pups have been bought by the researchers

I hate to bring you back to reality but the P1800 was sold by Mike Brewer and the buyer had to agree to appear on the program. The advert also warned that the car was a POS as it had only been tarted up for the show.

It's entertainment but it's not Top Gear.

You got a link to this info?

Usually, they 'sell' the car to a hired actor or a member of the crew - then it gets punted out on eBay.

I did used to know the ID, but I've forgotten it now - but I recall it was 'my mate Paul' who was selling them at one point.

[Fast Bug]

Pistom said:

Fast Bug said:

I hate to shatter any illusions that you may have, but Mike doesn't really by the cars. And they don't get sold at the end of the programme to those 'buyers'... Oh and not all of the work is shown either, as some right pups have been bought by the researchers

I hate to bring you back to reality but the P1800 was sold by Mike Brewer and the buyer had to agree to appear on the program. The advert also warned that the car was a POS as it had only been tarted up for the show.

It's entertainment but it's not Top Gear.

The Beetle that was turned in to a beach buggy, remember the one? It was a barn find. Only it was from Ed's garage and not the guy he 'bought' it off. The 60's Beetle they restored and sold was up far sale on Car and Classic ages afterwards with the 944 track car parked up in the background

I'm not knocking the programme at all, in fact I really like it But they've tight deadlines to keep to when filming, so it's not surprising that the vehicles aren't bought and sold as they show on the tv

[eskidavies73]

Hooli said:

sloopeh said:

the question i have never had the answer to is t-shirt over a jumper...why?

It's a secret sign proving he is a member of the society of rich penile glands.

perhaps he got skin problems on his arms and has to keep them covered and being out in the sticks its a bit nippy hence the t shirt on top another jumper would restric movement to much

[jagman21]

I seem to remember a article a while back in classics monthly, mike making a rather rash decision to buy this very car, or one extremely similar at the least in colour, which he then done up and had a cosmetic restoration on, it was resprayed in the old english white, which would tie up as the body work was fresh and immaculate.

in the article the car was restored by rj coachworks (i have an uncanny ability to remember useless facts) and sure enough it turns up not sure if its the same this ones got black alloys/wheels

http://www.rjcoachworks.co.uk/classic-car-restorat...

Going by mike's notorious work shy habits, i can see him blagging it for the show, plus as a thrifty dealer, he also gets some free work done by everyones favourite mechanic edd china.